textproduct: Quad Cities

KEY MESSAGES

- Unseasonably mild fall weather continues through the end of the week with passing clouds and relatively light winds.

- Precipitation chances increase late this week and into early next week as a more active pattern takes shape.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/

Issued at 1249 AM CDT Tue Oct 27 2026

A weak low pressure over Minnesota will lift a boundary northward today as southerly flow returns to the area. A passing trough could spawn some isolated rain showers (10% coverage) near the I-380 and Highway 20 corridors in Iowa, but dry low levels will keep this a non-wetting rain if it reaches the ground. Highs once again climb back into the low 70s this afternoon. Heading into tonight, shortwave ridging builds back in, drying out the CWA. The persistent southerly flow will put a floor on radiational cooling with lows only in the upper 40s and low 50s.

On Wednesday, a negatively tilted trough over south-central Canada will develop a low pressure system with a cold front extending southward into the Northern Plains. This front is expected to work its way into Iowa Wednesday night, bringing a better chance for showers and even storms (30-80%; highest coverage in eastern Iowa). Conditions dry back out on Thursday as the cold front slides into central Illinois and northern Missouri and a weak high pressure propagates into Minnesota and Wisconsin. Northeasterly flow behind the front will provide a quick shot of cooler air for areas north of I-80.

LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/

Issued at 1249 AM CDT Tue Oct 27 2026

Thursday Night-Sunday...A subtle trough in the subtropical jet is forecasted to move into Southern Plains Thursday night into Friday, causing pressure falls along the Front Range in Colorado. As zonal flow aloft turns southwesterly, the cold front from Thursday will transition into a warm front and move northward. Scattered showers and storms (40-80% coverage) are likely to develop along this boundary Friday into Saturday morning. By Saturday, the trough reaches Iowa and northern Missouri, keeping PoPs (40-60%) on the board heading into Sunday. Rainfall totals of 0.1 to 0.5 inches are probable (70-90% chance) areawide through Sunday.

Early Next Week...Longwave troughing over the western CONUS is expected to become in phase with the subtropical jet and eject eastward into the Rockies. Surface cyclogenesis is likely across the Central Plains with a warm front extending eastward into the Mid-Mississippi River Valley. Beyond this point, there is great uncertainty among the ensemble guidance in the development of this mid-latitude cyclone and its path, but confidence is high (70-90% chance) on a wet and breezy pattern early next week.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 604 AM CDT Tue Oct 27 2026

Dry low level through mid level air will keep our area VFR and dry today, though like the past few days, high clouds will be moving through. Visibility will be excellent today at main terminals, and any restrictions at smaller airports will be due to harvesting activities today. Southeast winds around 7 kts will become more southerly by late morning today, and remain 5-10 kts through tonight.

DVN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

IA...None. IL...None. MO...None.